Once Freckles got off the phone with Thomas, there was nothing more to do than go home. Nico and Mal shared an Uber with Levi and Shiloh, the short trip passing in comfortable silence. It was late and they were all exhausted.
Nico chewed his thumbnail as he contemplated what might happen next. What if the triad decided to retaliate? What if they never found Amy? What happened to Casey? What if Leo sent more of his GTB guys to their apartment? They’d found out where Mal worked easily enough; who was to say they didn’t have their home address, too?
“You’re thinking way too loudly,” Mal teased, slipping an arm around his shoulders.
Nico pressed his nose to Mal’s shirt, inhaling softly before saying, “I’m just worried.”
“You’re always worried, Fidget. Your brain is always in overdrive with ten tabs open. It’s all gonna be okay.”
Nico nodded, even though he didn’t really believe that to be true.
Together, they all took the stairs to their apartment, Levi opening the door. They were greeted by a cacophony of meows, the kittens all complaining loudly about their lack of dinner. They were used to two meals a day, like clockwork. They didn’t like deviating from their usual dining preferences.
Mochi batted at each of them from her cat tower as they passed, clearly worried that they might not be aware of her displeasure. Shiloh headed to the kitchen, grabbing their dishes. Each one had their names inscribed on them, compliments of Avi, but the cats rarely cared about whose name was on what dish.
Nico followed, helping him open five cans of ridiculously overpriced cat food—also compliments of Avi. When Shiloh had first brought the five gremlins home, Nico had worried Avi would forget his promise to give them all the supplies they needed, but their food and litter arrived like clockwork. He’d even gotten them a litter robot so they didn’t have to scoop poop a hundred times a day.
Once the kittens were fed, Nico allowed Mal to pull him towards their room. While Nico loved how spacious and luxurious Jericho’s penthouse was, there was something so instantly soothing about being back in their own tiny apartment. No matter how much he wanted to find a bigger place, part of Nico would miss the fun they had in this one.
Levi and Shiloh followed behind them, both couples stopping outside their doors.
Shiloh gave Mal and Nico a solemn look. “If I have to listen to you two fuck tonight, I will commit violence. I have a really long day tomorrow.”
Nico dropped his gaze, trying to look contrite. “We’ve already gotten it out of our system. I promise.”
Mal snorted. “Speak for yourself.”
Shiloh elbowed his brother in the ribs, smirking when he grunted and doubled over.
“Shiloh!” Nico admonished. “He’s injured.”
The other boy glowered at him. “Don’t Shiloh me. He had it coming and he knows it. You too,” he said, poking a finger inNico’s direction menacingly. “I’ll get even with you later. When you least expect it.”
Nico shivered at the warning. Shiloh looked soft and sweet, but he’d torn his brother to shreds with his bare hands. Literally. Mal may have been the one to send him to the great beyond, but Shiloh had made sure there wasn’t much left to send in the first place.
“How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?” Nico pleaded. “We weren’t trying to be loud.” He looked to Mal for help, but instead found him smirking. “Besides,you’re loud, too. I’ve heard you beg so much that the neighbors probably think we have a ghost haunting our apartment.”
“Yeah, one with a porn addiction,” Mal muttered. “Characters in hentai porn are quieter than you.”
“How would you know?” Shiloh countered.
“Because I used to jerk off to it whenever I felt guilty about getting off on the thought of railing my best friend,” Mal shot back without hesitation.
Nico’s heart tripped. “Aw, did you really feel guilty? That’s…so sweet.”
“Jesus, you two deserve each other,” Levi said, shaking his head.
“Hey, you two started this war. Don’t start shit, there won’t be shit. You and my brother have tortured us for months. I refuse to feel guilty about making Nico scream.”
Shiloh flushed. “Oh, my God! Just shut up,” Shiloh shoved past Levi, disappearing into their bedroom.”
“Goodnight, I guess,” Levi said a moment before he was yanked through the door.
Nico shook his head at the dramatics, then turned to Mal. “Do you want to shower?”
He shook his head. “I showered at Jericho’s.”
Nico’s eyes went wide. “You did? How? You’re so hurt.”
